The Nigerian political scene is relatively filled with “old men”. Old men in this sense often refer to those above the age of 65 and many Nigerian politicians fall in this age gap. Take for instance; Muhammadu Buhari who is the current president of Nigeria was also the Head of State of the country during the military era from 1983 to 1885.
Many Nigerians continue to seek for very young leaders as they believe the old ones aren’t doing well. However, not all Nigerian politicians are old. There are young men in politics as well. In this article, we will be looking at the Top 10 youngest governors in Nigeria in 2021.
1. Yahaya Bello
Governor Yahaya Bello is the current governor of Kogi State. He got into power in 2016 when he was just about 40 years which makes him the youngest governor in Nigeria in 2021. For emphasis, he is the only incumbent governor who was born after the Nigerian-Biafran civil war.
Yahaya Bello is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He came second position in the 2015 governorship election in Kogi state but he was declared governor after the winner, Abubakar Audu died.
2. Babagana Umara Zulum
At number 2, we have the governor of Borno state, Babagana Umara Zulum. Babagana Umara Zulum was born on the 26th of August 1969 and as of 2021, he’s 51 years. This governor assumed office in 2019 after winning the Borno gubernatorial election with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As at 2019, the governor was 50 years. Before becoming governor, Babagana Umara Zulum worked as an assistant technical officer with the Borno State Civil Service and then as a state commissioner in 2015.
3. Bello Muhammad Matawalle
The third youngest governor in Nigeria is Bello Muhammad Matawalle who is the current governor of Zamafara State. He’s 52 years as he was born in 1969. Before becoming governor, Bello Muhammad served as a state commissioner and then as a member of the house of reps.
He became governor of Zamfara state after the gubernatorial elections in 2019 with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Bello Muhammad lost the election to his APC counterpart but a ruling from the Supreme Court made him governor.
4. Benedict Ayade
Cross Rivers state has one of the youngest governors in Nigeria in 2021. Ben Ayade the incumbent governor of the state is just 53. He already was known as one of the youngest politicians in Nigeria after winning a Senatorial seat in 2011 when he was 43 years.
Ben Ayade assumed the governor seat in 2015 and is currently serving his second tenure. The governor is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
5. Nyesom Wike
Nyesom Wike assumed office as the governor of Rivers State in 2015. At the time, the governor was just 51 years. The governor earlier served as minister of state for education and afterwards as the acting minister of education at the federal level.
He terminated his office in the minister to pursue his governorship career. Nyesom Wike is currently serving his second tenure as Rivers State governor after winning a reelection in 2019. He’s a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
6. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde
Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of Oyo State makes the list of top 10 youngest governors in Nigeria. The governor is celebrated as one of the best performing governors in Nigeria. He’s also a Group Managing Director of Makon Group Limited
In 2021, Governor Makinde is 53 years and he became governor at 51 in 2019. He’s a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and began his political career in 2007 when he contested for a senatorial seat.
7. Abubakar Sani Bello
At number 7, we have the incumbent governor of Niger State. Also known by the nickmane Lolo, Abubakar Sani Bello was born in December 1967 and is just 53 in 2021. He got into the governorship office in 2015 with the All Progressives Party (APC).
That was the first time he was running for the position and possibly his first major attempt at a political seat in Nigeria. In 2019, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello won his reelection and is now running his second tenure.
8. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is the current governor of Adamawa State and he’s just 53 years in 2021. Before becoming governor, he was the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly. He was appointed acting governor in2014 after the sitting governor was impeached.
In official contested for the governorship seat in 2019 after winning the by-election as the official election was declared inconclusive. Like most governors on this list, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is a member of the People’s Democratic Party.
9. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
At 55 years in 2021, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is the 9th youngest governor in Nigeria. As a member of the People’s Democratic Party, the Sokoto State governor has held many public offices before becoming a governor in 2015.
He has served as a member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, deputy chief whip of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, and as speaker of the House of Representatives.
10. Udom Emmanuel
Last on this list is the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel. At just 48 years, he won the gubernatorial election in 2015 and is currently 54 years in 2021. Before becoming governor, Udom Emmaniel only served as secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Final Note
In 2001, a young boy of just 16 Chukwuebuka Anisiobi became a governor of Lagos state for a day. He achieved this feat by winning a spelling bee competition that was organized by the then Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the state at the time. Till date, he is known as the youngest governor in Nigeria. In 2021, the 10 governors listed above are the youngest governors in Nigeria.